FAO Forum Discusses Acceleration of Agri-Food System Transformation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), together with the government of Brunei Darussalam, held the Asia-Pacific Food Forum to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems in the region.
According to a written statement received on Wednesday (22/4), the forum brought together various stakeholders.
The forum focused on mobilising investments, utilising science and innovation for evidence-based policies, and empowering women and youth.
In opening the forum, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol called for scaling up proven regional solutions.
“We are not short of solutions — what we need is to scale them up, and to better connect priorities with investments, innovations with markets, and people with opportunities,” she said.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasised the importance of large-scale investments to support agri-food transformation.
He also called for science- and innovation-based actions as well as inclusive and intergenerational leadership.
The forum highlighted the role of FAO initiatives in helping countries build targeted, financeable, and data-driven investment pathways.
In addition, the forum identified opportunities to mobilise public and private financing through blended finance schemes and risk mitigation instruments.
FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative was assessed as strengthening agricultural product value chains, improving productivity, competitiveness, traceability, and market access.
The programme also promotes sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems and enhances nutritional aspects.
At the forum, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Alue Dohong designated two institutions as OCOP centres of excellence.
The two institutions are the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University in Thailand.
The institute in China was recognised for developing geographical indication methodologies that link products to their production environments.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University was deemed excellent in nutritional analysis and food product development.
The forum also spotlighted the role of women in agri-food systems through a special session on the 2026 International Year of Women Farmers.
In that session, participants called for stronger steps to address barriers to access to resources, services, and leadership opportunities.